Preparing Children and Young People for the World That Already Exists

For several years now, I’ve been observing the same pattern:

we blame the internet, apps, and technology for people’s behaviour, instead of addressing the real issue — the lack of education, ethics, and responsibility.

The internet is not going away.

Artificial intelligence is not going away.

Social media is not going away.

So instead of bans, fear-based narratives, and pretending we can turn back time, we need to prepare children and young people for the world that already exists.

What I see as the real problem

It is not the phone.

It is not TikTok, YouTube, or AI.

The real problem is:

• lack of ethical communication

• lack of emotional regulation

• lack of understanding that words have consequences

• lack of positive role models among adults

Adults:

• engage in online hate

• escalate conflicts

• profit from attacking others

• reward aggression with clicks, likes, and paid subscriptions

Children watch this. And they learn fast.

What actually works — I know this from experience

In my home, one simple rule applies:

what you write online stays there — and it has consequences, both good and bad.

We practise:

• not reacting impulsively to hate

• not building self-worth on likes or followers

• asking “why?” instead of “how do I respond?”

The result?

The internet becomes a library of knowledge, inspiration, and humour — not a battlefield.

This proves one thing: simple education works.

My plan of action

I want to build a space that:

• does not demonise technology

• does not scare children away from the internet

• does not rely on bans

but instead teaches:

• online ethics

• responsibility for words

• emotional regulation (both negative emotions and excessive euphoria)

• conscious and responsible use of digital tools and AI

Not to “protect children from the world”,

but to equip them to live in it calmly, responsibly, and wisely.

Because if something cannot be switched off,

it must be learned.